Press Contact:
Rick Miramontez / Pete Sanders / Bailey Everett
rick@omdkc.com / pete@omdkc.com / bailey@omdkc.com
212 695 7400
FOR RELEASE ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
COMPLETE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR
“ROLLING THUNDER”
THE SOUL-STIRRING THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE HIT FROM AUSTRALIA
OPENING AT NEW WORLD STAGES
PERFORMANCES BEGIN JULY 10
OPENING NIGHT SET FOR JULY 24
New York, NY (June 18, 2025) – Today, producer Rebecca Blake announced the complete cast and creative team for the New York premiere of Rolling Thunder. The show was originally developed and produced in Australia by Blake Entertainment, helmed by Blake. The book is by journalist/writer Bryce Hallett. This new U.S. production will be directed by Kenneth Ferrone. Performances begin on Thursday, July 10, with an opening night set for Thursday, July 24 at New World Stages (340 W 50th Street).
The cast includes Drew Becker (Johnny), Cassadee Pope (Linda), Justin Matthew Sargent (Thomas), Daniel Yearwood (Andy), Courtnee Carter (Lauren & others), and Deon’te Goodman (Mike & others). Understudies for this production are Ethan Hardy Benson and Erin Ramirez.
To download headshots, please click here.
Tickets are now on sale at www.telecharge.com and https://rollingthunderus.com.
Part rock concert, part documentary, this exhilaration and moving show tells the heartfelt stories of young soldiers caught in the abyss of the Vietnam War and the galvanizing protest movement that sought to end it.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War with the fall of Saigon on April 30th, 1975, when NVA tanks rolled through the gates of the Presidential Palace.
Rolling Thunder brings together legendary songs of the period of the ‘60s and ‘70s, raw and potent storytelling inspired by Vietnam veterans and their families. The draft, combat, civil rights movement, and homecoming are evocatively reawakened in this intimate and epic work. At heart, it’s a deeply moving love story of courage, longing, loss, and hope.
The show encompasses the musical influence and legacy of many of the most notable songwriters, including Paul Simon, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Roberta Flack, Mick Jagger and Keith Richard, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill, Gladys Knight, Curtis Mayfield, among others.
The show is a proud supporter of The American Legion.
The creative team for Rolling Thunder includes Wilson Chin (set design), Andrea Lauer (costume design), Jake DeGroot (lighting design), Mike Tracey (sound design), and Caite Hevner (video design). Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Chong Lim AM and Sonny Paladino. US Music Supervision and Music Direction is by Sonny Paladino. Casting is by Geoff Josselson Casting.
KGM Theatrical will serve as General Management. Jen Ash serves as the Production Stage Manager and Jason Weixelman will serve as the Assistant Stage Manager.
BIOGRAPHIES
DREW BECKER (Johnny) is thrilled to be making his Off-Broadway debut in Rolling Thunder. Starred as Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels on the 1st Broadway National Tour of the Tony Award winning musical Tootsie for a two year run. He also starred as Gleb Vaganov in the regional premiere of Anastasia. Other select theater: The Normal Heart, We Will Rock You, Waitress, Matilda, Spring Awakening, The Crucible, The Elephant Man. Training: Shenandoah Conservatory, Moscow Art Theater, The Freeman Studio. Instagram: @drewbecker Website: www.drew-becker.com
CASSADEE POPE (Linda) recently made her Off-Broadway debut starring in Titanique (Daryl Roth Theatre). While in school, Pope took center stage in productions such as Grease and The Phantom of the Opera and fronted her band Hey Monday. She then went on to become the first female winner of NBC’s “The Voice” which launched her solo music career. Pope was nominated for a Grammy for her collaboration with Chris Young for the hit single “Think of You.” Her latest album, Hereditary, released last year, leans into a grittier, rock-inspired sound. Pope has appeared in shows such as Nashville and Hellcats, and recently starred in Only Hope: A Musical Tribute to A Walk to Remember.
JUSTIN MATTHEW SARGENT (Thomas) has appeared on Broadway as ‘Peter Parker’ in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, ‘Drew’ in Rock of Ages, the OBC of Bonnie and Clyde, and just finished touring the country as ‘King George III’ in Hamilton. He has performed alongside music legends like John Legend, Alice Cooper, Sara Bareilles, David Byrne, Dee Snider, Kip Winger, Graham Russell, REO Speedwagon and has been a special guest star singer with the band Air Supply. Justin has toured the world singing everything from Queen to Andrew Lloyd Webber. His television/film appearances include “Jesus Christ Superstar: Live” on NBC, “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Mr. Robot,” “Delocated,” “Royal Pains,” and more!
DANIEL YEARWOOD (Andy). Broadway: Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, Sweeney Todd, Hamilton, Once On This Island, INK. NYC: Eyes of the World: From D Day to VE Day (Carnegie Hall), Grand Hotel (NYCC). Regional: In the Heights, Newsies (Fulton Theatre). Honored to be a part of this company. I dedicate each performance to Jean Yearwood and Yenwith Whitney. I’m forever grateful for their service, sacrifice, and legacy.
COURTNEE CARTER (Lauren & others). Broadway: Parade, Once On This Island. National Tours/Regional: Once On This Island, Sing Street: A New Musical. Television/Film credits include: “Sub/liminal” (Nebula), “Crutch” (CBS), “The Prince” (Ind.), “And Just Like That” (Max), “Harlem” (Amazon), “Charmed” (CW), “Pose” (FX), “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC), “The Path” (Hulu) and Anything’s Possible (MGM/Orion Pictures). Courtnee is a graduate of the UNCSA. Instagram: @iamcourtneecarter
DEON’TE GOODMAN (Mike & others) is thrilled to make his Off-Broadway debut direct from the Hamilton National Tour where he starred as Aaron Burr. Broadway: Hamilton (U/S Aaron Burr, George Washington, and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison). Regional credits include: Sweeney Todd, In the Heights, Songbird, and Rent. Also a vocal coach, Deon’te has worked with a variety of artists including MJ Rodriguez (“Pose”), guiding them through studio sessions and vocal development. While musical collaborations with friends are currently available on all major streaming platforms, his solo project will be released soon.
ETHAN HARDY BENSON (Understudy). Off-Broadway debut. National Tour: 50th Anniversary Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus Alt). Regional: Goodspeed Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, The Rev. Proud UMich MT. Endless gratitude to all Veterans, the entire Rolling Thunder team, Craig at Avalon Artists Group, Zoë, and his friends & family.
ERIN RAMIREZ (Understudy). Tour: Hamilton (u/s Eliza, Angelica, Peggy/Maria), SIX 1st National (Alternate Howard, Boleyn, Parr), Les Misérables (u/s Éponine). NYC Workshop: Romy and Michele, ¡Americano! BFA Emerson College. Love to my husband, Phillip. To God be the glory. @erinpalmerramirez
KENNETH FERRONE (Director) is thrilled to work with this company and to honor our Veterans. Recent credits: The Wanderer (Paper Mill, upcoming Broadway), Prelude to a Kiss a Musical (Milwaukee Rep), Cruel Intentions (1st National Tour), Colin Quinn: NY Story, Lucie Pohl’s HiHitler (Cherry Lane), When Blood Ran Red (NYTF), Sistas (OBA & Audelco Noms). On Broadway, he associate directed Floyd Collins, Redwood, Mother Play, SpongeBob SquarePants, Wonderland, and Love Letters. Additional credits: Pasadena Playhouse, Mark Taper Forum, 5th Ave., Goodspeed, Arena, among others. On screen, Kenneth produced the Emmy Award-winning Grease Live!, Rent (Emmy Nom), Annie Live!, “Smash,” “Rise,” “Deception,” “Ironside,” and “Echo 3.” @KennethFerrone
BRYCE HALLETT (Book). A respected Australian journalist and writer, he is a former Arts Editor at the Sydney Morning Herald and Arts Writer at The Australian. He has written extensively across the performing arts and was the Herald’s Chief Theatre Critic for more than a decade. His stage writing credits include Freeway – The Chet Baker Journey and Love Is a Drag, based on the 1960’s cult album. Bryce wrote the rock drama Rolling Thunder Vietnam, playing three tours of Australia to wide acclaim. He is the author of Baroque Passion, about the trailblazing Australian Brandenburg Orchestra led by Paul Dyer.
WILSON CHIN (Scenic Design). Broadway: Cost of Living, Pass Over (Drama Desk, Lortel, Henry Hewes Award nominations), Next Fall. Off-Broadway: Sumo (Ma-Yi/Public), All Nighter (MCC), Nina (Theaterlab), The Animal Kingdom (Connelly), The Thanksgiving Play (Playwrights Horizons), Jonah (Roundabout), Annie (Madison Square Garden). Opera: Turandot (Washington National Opera), Lucia di Lammermoor (Chicago Lyric Opera). @wilsonchindesign
ANDREA LAUER (Costume Design) is a costume, set, and fashion designer residing in NYC, working regionally and internationally. Selected design works include Broadway’s My Window: A Journey Through Life, American Idiot, and Bring It On: The Musical. Her Off-Broadway productions have been seen at The Signature Theatre, Classic Stage, 2nd Stage, and more. Ongoing collaborations include Meow Meow, Melissa Etheridge, Elizabeth Streb, and various rock and roll artists and bands. Working internationally, her most recent work was seen at The Factory International in Manchester, in Laurie Anderson’s Ark, with the London Philharmonic, and at Shakespeare’s Globe. Her most recent projects include two operas, Sensorium Ex and Primero Sueno, where she worked as the production designer and wearable technologist. In addition to her work in performance design, she is the founder and creative director of RISEN DIVISION, a sustainable fashion brand that exalts the artistry and innovation of the jumpsuit. Honors include the NYU Future Imagination Research Grant, MIT Director’s Fellow (2017), the Pioneer Works Science Residency (2019), the New Lab Artist Residency (2020), and Randi Zuckerberg’s Innovation list of 52 Women in 52 Weeks.
JAKE DEGROOT (Lighting Design). Broadway: All In: Comedy About Love; Oh, Hello. Television: John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous (Radio City/Netflix), Baby J (Netflix). Off-Broadway: The Robber Bridegroom (Roundabout), SeaWife (Drama Desk Nomination), New Victory, CSC, Les Freres, The Flea. Regional: Papermill, Kennedy Center, Alliance, Two River, Huntington, Geffen, Cincinnati Playhouse, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Pasadena Playhouse, Williamstown. Fight fascism.
MIKE TRACEY (Sound Design) had the pleasure of working on theatrical shows, tours, and concerts. Select designs include 3 Summers of Lincoln, The Lonely Few, Dreamgirls, F#%king Up Everything, Newsies, Jersey Boys, West Side Story, Spamalot. Select associate designer work includes Buena Vista Social Club, Some Like It Hot, Waitress, Jagged Little Pill, Springsteen on Broadway. mtsounddesign.com
CAITE HEVNER (Video Design). Broadway: Trisha Paytas’ Big Broadway Dream, Derren Brown: Secret, In Transit, Harry Connick Jr. – A Celebration of Cole Porter. Select New York: Duke & Roya (current), Between the Lines (Drama Desk nomination), Sweatshop Overlord (Lortel nomination), MTC, MCC, Primary Stages, Roundabout. Hundreds of productions in New York, regionally, and internationally. www.caitedesign.com Instagram: @caitehevner
JEN ASH (Production Stage Manager). Broadway: A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical, SIX, Days of Wine and Roses, POTUS, Dear Evan Hansen, Wicked. Tour: Come From Away, Hadestown, If/Then. Off-Broadway: Cats: The Jellicle Ball, The Play That Goes Wrong, Everything’s Fine, FuerzaBrutaWAYRA, Peter and the Starcatcher. Proud Latina.
JASON WEIXELMAN (Assistant Stage Manager). Broadway: Wicked. Off-Broadway: Macbeth in Stride, Wine in the Wilderness, Scene Partners, Between the Lines, Which Way to the Stage, Othello, Old Hats. Select Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Berkshire Theatre Group, Barrington Stage Co.
# # # #
www.omdkc.com
www.facebook.com/omdkc
www.instagram.com/omdkc/